Should we be exercising for body and mind? Researchers at Canada’s University of Montreal published a new study in the scientific journal Neurobiology of Aging that links exercise to increased cognitive function in aging adults.

The study sampled healthy adults in two different age groups, one of which was considered the young adult group (comprised of adults aged 18-30) and the other considered the older adult group (comprised of adults aged 55-75). Every adult in the study underwent both a physical test and a mental test. The physical test was designed to measure the fitness level of the adult while the mental test was designed to measure the cognitive abilities of the adult.

The participants were placed in MRI scanners throughout the mental task to measure brain activity and blood oxygen levels. Additionally, the participants were scanned to measure the stiffness of their aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel inside our system that is responsible for distributing oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The researchers found that although age is related to declines in cognitive and physical fitness, a clear link exists between a healthy heart, physical fitness, and better brain function. The findings enhance the established belief that our lifestyle choices and behaviors can have a large impact on our bodies as well as on our minds.

Although it is true that a system designed to treat over 300 million people will never be flawless, it is alarming that our country’s healthcare spending is of the highest globally yet we rank about “average” in the quality of our care.

Dr. Peter Provonost of Johns Hopkins University commented on the issue, “we do not know how many people die needlessly, but we should.” He went on to suggest, “We need to declare right now that preventable harm is unacceptable and work to prevent all types of harm.” Dr. Ashish Jha of Harvard University’s School of Public Health suggested, “with smarter metrics, greater transparency, more accountability, and the right set of incentives, we can make big progress.”

The burdensome financial cost of preventable medical errors is palpable. However, the trail of devastation in their wake is much more disconcerting. Some medical mistakes lead to permanent, severe injuries that leave people without the ability to work, often causing them to lose their homes and health insurance. For an average American family, these outcomes are Earth-shattering.

Is it for this purpose that Weiss & Paarz has spent over 30 years fighting for patients that have been permanently harmed by preventable medical errors. It is imperative that victims of medical malpractice have someone to help them confront their new reality, keeping up with their increased healthcare costs while ensuring their families are taken care of and their homes remain their homes.

Most people look at July 4th through a happy, celebratory lens. However, if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people that have experienced a medical emergency because of activities associated with the infamous day of independence, you know very well how important it is to take proper safety precautions while enjoying your day off.

Bloomsberg Businessweek recently published a report on the link between medical emergencies & Independence Day. While bicycling and swimming pools pose the greatest risks for a visit to the ER, fireworks, grilling, and excessive alcohol are of notable concern.

We have compiled a list of tips to stay safe while having fun this upcoming holiday weekend:

1. When handling fireworks, be sure to consult a professional for proper safety training and do not let children/minors handle fireworks without appropriate supervision. 2. While grilling, beware of the dangers of propane! Always ensure the following:

• Leave the grill cover open when starting your grill • Use a thick soapy water to check that connections are tight before connecting or lighting a propane gas grill burner • Turn off burner controls and valves when finishing grilling • Use or store tanks in an outdoor & upright position • Test for propane leaks

3. Avoid excessive alcohol and if intoxicated, do not drive under the influence under any circumstances. Ensure your friends and family follow suit.

The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaeocologists (RCOG) recently reported on new advances in prenatal testing that they believe will one day become part of the standard of carefor women during pregnancy. Prenatal testing allows expectant parents to find out whether or not their fetus is showing signs of a birth defect or genetic abnormality early on in pregnancy. This knowledge gives parents the time they need to make an informed decision about whether they would like to terminate their pregnancy or make the necessary mental and financial preparations to raise a child with special needs.

Until recently, the techniques available to definitively diagnose potential abnormalities and birth defects prenatally were both invasive and risky. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, however informative, are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Medical professionals have been researching new ways to give pregnant women the diagnostic information they want without putting their fetus at risk. A revolutionary screening method known as cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing is becoming a viable solution to this problem.

The cffDNA test is quite simple. All an expectant mother has to do is give a sample of blood and wait a period of two weeks for the results. The test can be given as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy. The lab takes the maternal blood sample and measures the fetal DNA inside to determine the odds of the fetus having Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, and Patau syndrome. In order to do this, relative amounts of DNA from chromosomes 21, 18, and 13 (all associated with the above syndromes, respectively) are individually calculated from the blood sample.

The cffDNA test is allegedly very accurate, with over a 99% accuracy rate for predicting Down syndrome, over a 98% accuracy rate for predicting trisomy 18, and approximately a 65% accuracy rate for predicting trisomy 13. However, these rates are only valid for women that are considered “high-risk” for having a pregnancy that results in a genetic abnormality and are not necessarily proven to be as accurate for women that are considered to be at lower risks.

NPR recently reported about the dangers of high-dosage anti-depressants being prescribed to American teenagers. Some believe that even what are considered “therapeutic” doses of anti-depressants can lead to increases in suicide attempts and thoughts of self-harm in young adults. Others believe that the benefits seen from treating young adults with anti-depressants outweigh the disadvantages.

According to the Center for Disease Control’s 2011 data, one out of every 13 teenagers in America attempts to commit suicide within a 12-month period. Half of the teenagers that end up taking their own lives were diagnosed with clinical depression prior, and oftentimes they had been prescribed anti-depressants within a few months of their death. However, correlation does not equal causation, and it is still unknown as to whether or not anti-depressants are directly causing thoughts of suicide and suicidal behavior.

Even though the guidelines for prescribing anti-depressants to young adults are clear in starting off with a small dose and adjusting accordingly, there are some doctors that still prescribe initial dosages that are higher than the recommended standards. If you have a child that is being prescribed anti-depressants, it is important to be aware of the dosages prescribed and the reasons behind the prescription itself. For the full NPR article, click here to read on.